Texas is dealing with massive fraud in the system. As usual, the fix is to make is almost impossible for those who qualify to get money.
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Same with Colorado. They are making everyone verify their identity with id.me. So no late-model smartphone, no benefits for you. No postpaid plan, no benefits for you (they verify the cell number is yours through the mobile provider, and that number better be listed on your credit report). And the wait times can be a days-long on hold to wait for a “trusted referee”. Close the wait screen and you start the process all over.
Oh yeah. It took me three days to jump through that hoop. All because they decided they didn't like the way the pic of my SS card looked. I'm a self-employed contractor who pays taxes quarterly. So, when I saw there was covid money for those who could show a loss in work caused by covid, I jumped on it. I applied and showed the loss, so I qualified for payments. Though, where I live was never really locked down, my particular income took a hit. It helped get our lives back to normal.
Though, the workforce commission is constantly making it difficult to impossible to get payments. You're correct. If you aren't rich enough to own a late model smartphone and computer, and have high speed internet, you're screwed. I guess I could change my name Jimanez from Guatemala and/or send in a non-white picture of myself. That might make it easier for me.